Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar has stirred controversy after a viral video showed him slapping a man amidst a crowd chanting his name.
In the footage, Shivakumar is seen emerging from his car amidst enthusiastic chants of DK, DK.
He could be seen putting a hand is placed on his shoulder.
Visibly irritated, Shivakumar pushes the hand away and proceeds to slap the individual, UNI reported.
The incident, which occurred in the Savanur area of Haveri district, reportedly took place during a campaign to garner support for Congress candidate Vinod Asuti, who is set to contest against BJPs Pralhad Joshi for the fourth term in the upcoming elections.
The man, identified as a party worker, appeared stunned by the unexpected reaction from the senior Congress leader and could only manage an embarrassed smile, the Indian news agency reported.
He was later ushered away by Shivakumars security personnel.
Following the circulation of the video, social media platforms were inundated with mixed reactions. While some condemned the man for what they perceived as crossing boundaries by touching the minister without familiarity, others criticised Shivakumar for resorting to a physical altercation with a member of his party.
Even former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi faced backlash online, with users drawing comparisons and mocking the incident as emblematic of the partys current state.
The incident comes amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, with polling for the remaining 14 seats scheduled for May 7. The counting of votes is slated for June 4.
